How Much Should You Pay for Commercial Dishwashers? A Closer Look
For anyone in the industry, running a commercial kitchen without an industrial dishwasher is as hard to imagine as not having a commercial oven.
Commercial dishwashers come in many different models and are a big investment. But which model is best for your kitchen?
Read on to find out how much you should be looking to spend if you want to invest in an industrial dishwasher.
Types of Commercial Dishwashers
The cost of investing in a proper dishwasher ultimately depends on the type of dishwasher you will need. For a cheaper style, you can pay around $2,000, and for the most expensive models, you’re looking at over £100,000.
There are three main types of commercial dishwashers, they are:
- Under counter
- Conveyor
- Pass through
Alongside these three main types, you can also get more affordable dishwashers designed for glassware or pots and utensils.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common types and what you can expect to pay.
Under-Counter Dishwashers
Under-counter or under-bench dishwashers are usually the most affordable model of dishwasher.
This model is smaller to fit under existing countertops and so fits fewer plates. Most under-counter dishwashers can wash approximately 500 plates per hour. A standard cycle lasts around 3 minutes, although some styles may have many programs.
More expensive models have extra settings such as fast washes and long cycles. They may also have greater capacity, fitting around 1,500 plates per hour.
An under-counter dishwasher is more than enough for smaller restaurants, takeaway shops, bars, pubs, and cafes.
Cost: $3,000- 8,000
Budget: A budget option will likely sacrifice space and water temperature. With a lower temperature, the programme will run for longer. Some machines may only wash glassware.
Splurge: The most expensive options may be able to take multiple racks at a time to increase capacity and offer faster or hotter settings
Conveyor Dishwashers
A more expensive and larger style of dishwasher is a conveyor dishwasher. These dishwashers move the dirty dishes along a conveyor to emerge clean on the other side.
Conveyor dishwashers are more efficient at keeping a flow of clean dishes in busier commercial kitchens. They have a larger capacity than smaller under-counter machines.
These dishwashers need more floor space and can generally clean a minimum of 180 trays per hour. Larger, multi-stage conveyor dishwashers can wash as many as 300 trays per hour.
Since they are larger, easier to use, and have higher capacity, they are generally more expensive than under-counter models.
Cost: $20,000-£80,000
Budget: More affordable models may have a slower conveyor speed or only be capable of cleaning one rack at a time.
Splurge: At the higher end, you’ll find four or five stage cycles for deeper cleaning and increased capacity.
Pass-Through Dishwashers
Upright, pass-through commercial dishwashers are easy to use thanks to their height. They can handle a high frequency of dishes, But, they have a lower capacity than conveyor options.
Dirty dishes are loaded into one side, the hood pulled down over them, and then they emerge clean on the other side. If your commercial kitchen has the height, these machines reduce manual labour. They fit into other catering equipment without taking up too much floor space.
They usually have space for one rack at a time but offer high temperatures for fast cleaning. This makes them more suitable for busier commercial kitchens than under-counter options.
Cost: $8,000-$15,000
Budget: A more affordable option will likely have a smaller tray size and a longer run cycle limiting how much you can wash.
Splurge: Larger, more expensive models can take more items per wash. They have much faster cycles and higher pressure for a better wash in 30 seconds.
Other Dishwashers
You can also find glassware or utensil washers that are only used for specific purposes. Since they offer a more limited service, they are generally cheaper.
Glassware machines are usually similar to under-counter dishwashers. The affordable options can cost as little as $2,000. More expensive models can cost upwards of $4,000.
Utensil and pot washers generally start from around $6,000 and can be over $20,000. They usually have longer cycles for more intense cleaning. Most will come with larger tray sizes to accommodate industrial-size catering equipment.
The Overlooked Costs of Industrial Dishwashers
When considering the cost of a commercial dishwasher, you need to think about more than the cost of the actual machine. You will also have to install, run, and maintain the dishwasher.
Here are some other costs to consider when investing in commercial kitchen equipment.
The Cost of Running a Dishwasher
You need to consider the running costs of your new dishwasher. This can include power usage and water consumption, required cleaning products, and regular maintenance.
You may need to invest in specific dishwasher tablets or solutions designed for the make and model of your dishwasher. The cost of products can range from a few dollars to around $100.
Due to the nature of the task, dishwashers need more frequent maintenance than other catering equipment. Check the warranty of the specific model to see what repairs and maintenance are covered to ensure you don’t pay extra.
How Much Does Dishwasher Installation Cost?
Installing a dishwasher can be expensive, with the lowest installation fee at around $250 and a more expensive installation cost of £1,000.
The price of installing a commercial dishwasher is higher than a standard machine. This is due to the specialist nature and knowledge required. Professional kitchen equipment often requires a separate electrical circuit from commercial fridges.
Depending on the model of the machine, you may also need to make modifications to the existing space.
The Best Dishwasher For Your Needs
When it comes down to it, the best price for commercial dishwashers is the one that’s going to do the best job for you.
Depending on your needs, you may not need to spend $15,000 when a machine worth $3,000 will suit your requirements. Depending on the capacity, speed, size of your kitchen and what you need washing, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few thousand to over $100,000.
If you want to discuss your specific needs, get in touch with us today to get a quote and improve your kitchen.